CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Chicago Bulls clinched a hard-fought 119-112 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in overtime on Monday night, led by Coby White’s 27-point performance in his home state. Andre Drummond also made a significant impact with 21 points and 15 rebounds, helping the Bulls (17-21) secure their second win against the Hornets in four nights.
Terry Rozier was the standout for Charlotte (8-26), scoring 39 points, including seven 3-pointers and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. Despite his efforts, the Hornets continued their losing streak, dropping 13 of their last 14 games.
The Hornets, struggling with injuries, were without starters LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Gordon Hayward, and key reserves P.J. Washington and Cody Martin. Miles Bridges added 24 points for Charlotte but missed crucial shots in overtime.
The Bulls dominated the overtime period’s early stages, but the Hornets remained resilient, nearly tying the game before Nick Smith Jr’s 3-pointer rimmed out. Rozier, heavily guarded by Alex Caruso, was held scoreless in overtime.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford acknowledged the challenge of facing a double-team defense on Rozier, while White praised Rozier’s scoring ability, noting his near-successful shots in overtime.
The game saw Chicago initially taking a commanding lead, only for Charlotte to fight back and take the lead at the end of the first quarter. The match remained close, with Rozier and Bridges leading the Hornets’ charge. The game went into overtime after DeMar DeRozan missed a potential game-winning shot for the Bulls.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan mentioned the impending return of Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic to the starting lineup, acknowledging Drummond’s contributions during their absence.
The Bulls excelled in scoring in the paint, outscoring the Hornets 62-42, a key factor in their victory.
Looking ahead, the Bulls will host the Houston Rockets, while the Hornets will face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, as both teams continue their regular-season campaigns.
